Colombo, August 5: Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Colombo on Wednesday for a one-day visit. During his trip, he is scheduled to meet with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Foreign Minister Wijitha Herath, and other key officials.
The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka announced this visit, stating on social media platform X, “This trip will enhance regular high-level discussions between India and Sri Lanka, further strengthening bilateral relations and accelerating essential initiatives.”
India, always ready to assist its neighboring countries, made a significant contribution just a day earlier to curb the spread of dengue. Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha handed over 500 liters of technical malathion (an insecticide) to Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa on Tuesday.
Jha shared this information on X, expressing, “India stands with Sri Lanka in the fight against dengue. I am pleased to present 500 liters of technical malathion as a gift from the Government and people of India. This will bolster ongoing dengue control efforts in Sri Lanka.”
India’s assistance comes at a time when hospitals across Sri Lanka are still filled with dengue patients. However, the daily number of cases has begun to decline. Official statistics indicate that daily dengue cases, which once surged to around 1,000, have now reduced to approximately 500.
Earlier, on July 27, Jha mentioned that India’s support for development projects in Sri Lanka has exceeded $7.5 billion, covering all 25 districts of the country.
The Indian High Commission noted on X, “With over $7.5 billion in assistance, including more than $850 million in grants, India’s people-centric projects are bringing positive changes in housing, health, education, railways, energy, and livelihoods in Sri Lanka.”
On July 14, Santosh Jha and Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry Secretary Anil Jasinghe signed a memorandum of understanding for the supply of medical equipment to the Base Hospital in Deniyaya. Under this agreement, the Indian government will provide a grant of 600 million Sri Lankan Rupees. This hospital is being relocated due to its location in a disaster-affected area, with the goal of completing this project within three years.
In 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Sri Lanka officially. After President Dissanayake took office in 2024, he became the first world leader to visit the country, during which seven significant memorandums of understanding were signed covering areas from defense to health and energy.
–
Leave a Comment